About 40 percent of Tennessee’s 138 school superintendents attached their names to a letter asking Gov. Bill Haslam to put the kibosh on Huffman and his reform policies, according to the list of names released Wednesday.

Letter author and Tullahoma City Schools Superintendent Dan Lawson said he mailed the letter to Haslam on Wednesday but emailed a copy to members of the Tennessee legislature.

During the full week that superintendents had the opportunity to add or delete their names from the letter that was circulated first at a professional conference and then by email, the number of names fell from 63 to 56, according to Lawson’s count.

“Why sign, why remove, I have been very careful to not ask,” Lawson said. “I didn’t ask for signatures, didn’t ask for reasons to sign or reasons that some wanted their names removed. For me, it was a matter of personal conviction.”

In light of a months-long battle between Huffman and Metro Nashville school officials that caused Huffman to fine Metro schools $3.4 million for refusing to approve a charter school, it was not a surprise to see Schools Director Jesse Register’s name on the list. Similarly, Williamson County and Franklin Special School District officials have been at odds with Huffman over test scores they were not allowed to appeal. Williamson Director Mike Looney and Franklin chief David Snowden were among those who signed.

However, the leaders in Wilson, Sumner, and Rutherford county schools did not sign the letter, nor did those in Lebanon or Murfreesboro. None of them could be reached for comment Wednesday.

The bulk of the letter criticized Huffman for his alleged refusal to include local educators in his plans and said those who signed are tired of being treated like stumbling blocks on Huffman’s path.

Snowden said he has never heard Huffman indicate disrespect for local education officials, “but actions speak louder than words. Our messages have been seen as noise.”

Huffman has denied the allegation and said he will continue to communicate and collaborate with educators.

Haslam already has sent a letter by email to the state’s superintendents. He took a conciliatory tone, but still told them to back off the public criticism and find a way to work with Huffman.

Snowden and Lawson both referred to Huffman as an intelligent and capable leader and said they are not asking for his removal.

“I think the basis for his ideas and his intentions are in the right place,” Snowden said, adding that changes in educational policies could be implemented in better ways with input from professional educators.

Cheatham County Director of Schools Stan Curtis said he signed because teachers and other staff members urged him to do so. “If our employees believe the letter supports their work to provide a quality education for our students, recognizes them as professionals, and grants them a voice in educational reform, then I will wholeheartedly endorse the petition as a measure to encourage their continued dedication,” he said. “Our teachers deserve this encouragement and support.”